Close to $84.3 million has been spent on housing assistance following Fiji’s worst recorded cyclone in mid-February.
Social Welfare Minister, Rosy Akbar confirmed that the Government’s Help for Homes Initiative had assisted close to 23,300 people across the country.
“This included those in 12 priority areas, namely Vanuabalavu, Koro, the Lomaiviti Group, Taveuni, Qamea, Yacata, Savusavu and the Yasawas,” she said.
“However, there are still some areas that are yet to receive the assistance.”
Mrs Akbar said they wanted to ensure that all 23,000 beneficiaries would be able to receive building materials to rebuild their homes, adding that they were working in hand with hardware companies to provide necessities.
“For those communities that have not received their cards yet, they will be assisted through the second distribution phase. We will be visiting some of the communities that have received the cards and speak to these communities.”
Rated as a category-five, Winston was the strongest tropical cyclone to make landfall in Fiji, destroying and damaging over 40,000 homes.
According to the Insurance Council of Fiji, less than 10 percent of Fiji households are insured.